Department of Applied Ecology<\/a> recently celebrated a milestone moment, marking 10 years as a department in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State University.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCreated in 2013 by combining several departments in the College of Sciences, the Department of Applied Ecology came together as a home for professors in natural resource ecology and management who specialize in fields such as wildlife biology, biostatistics and water quality and focus on applied research and Extension work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe fit nicely under this broad umbrella and it kind of fell into place because we were a unique niche,\u201d said Greg Cope, who was among the original faculty within the department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Applied Ecology offers graduate and doctoral degrees in biology and fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology. The department also offers undergraduate courses and an applied ecology minor. Plans are in the works to create an undergraduate major in applied ecology in the next few years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the past decade, the department has expanded its scope, adding faculty specializing in areas such as urban ecology and pollinator ecology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think we\u2019ve morphed and evolved into a much broader, stronger department,\u201d Cope said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n